Jordaan: Ahmed Kathrada was a hero of note

Cape Town - South Africa Football Association (SAFA) President Danny Jordaan has described the late liberation struggle icon Ahmed Kathrada as a selfless cadre, who was kind to people from all walks of life and was a very measured human being.

Kathrada, who remained politically active until his dying days, passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning and South African President Jacob Zuma has requested the national flag fly at half mast in honour of the struggle hero.

“The giant has passed away, Ahmed Kathrada was a great man, humble and very measured in whatever he did,” said Jordaan said as quoted from the official SAFA website.

“He was a hard worker, honesty and I remember him spending time with the late Father of the Nation, Nelson Mandela during his last days.

“He is the last of the generation, together with Andrew Mlangeni and Dennis Goldberg that fought for the liberation of the country. The three were the last surviving members of the Rivonia trial,” added Jordaan.

Mlangeni and Goldberg are now the only surviving duo of the Rivonia Trial which took place between 1963 and 1964 and which led to the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela.

Jordaan recalled an intensive Robben Island tour Kathrada took with the SAFA Congress members in 2015.

“He didn’t take a bus on that extensive tour but walked and explained in detail how life was at the famous island,” Jordaan said.

“We are shattered by his death but Kathrada will be remembered for his role in creating a new and vibrant South Africa.

“May his soul rest in peace,” concluded Jordaan.